I am pained to say that Law Minister of Bangladesh is un necessarily taking Bangladesh to an ideological warfare on the issue of Islam and secularism.He has earlier said that he would bring back 1972 contitution which was not in the manifesto of Awami League. He said “ The Minister also favoured the restoration of the 1972 constitution, which was disrupted by the military rule of 1975, aiming to establish Bangladesh as a secular democratic country saying, " If we go back to 1972 constitution there will not be any religion-based political organisations."He said after killing Father of the Nation Bangabandhu, the constitution was amended giving priority to religion, which helped emerge religious fundamentalism in the country. ( Daily New Nation Report )”. What sort of democracy will be that which bans Islamic parties when by their own declaration Awami League has said that they will not do anything against the principles of Quran and Sunnah ?

Secularism is no guarantee for peace .India has more militancy of various sorts than us. The whle of Sheikh sahib faceded serious leftist insurgency and later several coups , in one of which he was killed. Ziaur Rahman brought in the changes in 1997 through a referendum and it did not lead to any religion-based militancy in the last thirty years until two years back.This is not home-grown militancy but imported from outside as a result of international situation created by some powers.Moreover, how can a believer in Allah exclude Allah' guidance in politics, economy and society as secularism really means ?On the other hand Awami League has clearly committed that it will not do anything against Quran and Sunnah. Restoration of 72 constitution will mean deleting faith in Allah as a pillar of state policy, restoration of socialism , deleting Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim ( in the name of beneficent and merciful Allah) and also banning all Islamic parties. What is the need for doing all these? Islamic provisions in the constitution are not any problem because Islam grants all other religiouscommunities’ all fundamental rights ( Madinan society under the Prophet is the greatest proof where Jews were granted all civil, political and religious rights under the constitution made by the Prophet. ).It is true that in a state where Muslims are in great majority, Islam will get special position .This does not create any problem because other communities’ rights are properly protected as per Islam.In entire history of Islam , all Muslim states whether Khulafae Rashidun, Umayyad, Abbasid, Mughals or Usmani regime in Istambul, Islam had very special position. It was natural thing.This should remain so.

The problem is being magnified by the Law Minister. In a meeting held in Dhaka on 4.4.09 , as per report of Daily Star , Mr. Shafiq has again said “Without mentioning the name of Jatiya Party chief and former president HM Ershad, the law minister slammed him for including Islam in the Bangladesh Constitution during his tenure.He said there was secularism in the 1972 Constitution of the country. “



State religion is another way of telling that the state is basically an Islamic state.State religion is nothing new.Almost half the European states have state religion, most of the Arab states have state religion, even many states in US have state religion ( though there is no such mention in Federal constitution )( any body can check this by google search after writing “ state religion” )



There is no need for a new ideological war in this county, It will create serious conflict and turmoil and where it will end up only Allah knows.No body can be sure such change made will be sustained later..I urge all of you to keep watch over the situation and to save the country from such conflict and turmoil .Bangladesh has so many problems, we should not open this new major problem.If any of you can influence Awami League leadership ,you should do so.

from a writing of Shah Abdul Hannan